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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Glenn Erby

2024 NFL Free Agency: 7 Eagles that will flourish on another team

The Eagles are set for wholesale changes as owner Jeffrey Lurie and GM Howie Roseman evaluated Nick Sirianni’s future following Philadelphia’s historic collapse, finishing the season 1-6 after a 10-1 start.

The first domino to fall is All-Pro center Jason Kelce, 36, who reportedly told his teammates he is retiring after 13 seasons with the Eagles.

Brandon Graham, who turns 36 in April, says he wants to return to the Eagles for one more final season, his 15th, and he’s one of the few guys on the roster deserving of writing his final script.

According to Over The Cap, Philadelphia has 20+ free agents, and we’re looking at seven that could flourish on other teams.

RB Rashaad Penny

Jan 7, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back Rashaad Penny (23) carries the ball as New York Giants linebacker Micah McFadden (41) and linebacker Bobby Okereke (58) pursue during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Penny joined the Eagles on a one-year deal last offseason, but spent most of the season inactive after D’Andre Swift was acquired via trade.

After finishing the 2021 campaign on a high note—rushing for 671 yards and six touchdowns over the last five weeks—Penny’s season ended prematurely in 2022 with a broken fibula just five weeks into the season.

Penny essentially had a redshirt season in Philadelphia, only being active for three games, and he’ll land on another roster in 2024 fresh, and motivated to play.

RB D'Andre Swift

Feb 4, 2024; Orlando, FL, USA; NFC running back D’Andre Swift (0) of the Philadelphia Eagles makes a catch during the 2024 Pro Bowl at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Swift made the Pro Bowl in his first season with the Eagles, and the free agent to be rushed for a career-high 1,049 yards with five touchdowns.

He also logged 39 receptions for 214 yards and a touchdown.

Philadelphia currently only has Kenneth Gainwell under contract for 2024, and Spotrac has Swift’s market value at 4-years, $22 million.

Swift has shown the ability to be a lead running back and if Howie Roseman doesn’t come correct, the former Georgia running back could his dual-threat production elsewhere.

WR Olamide Zaccheaus

Nov 26, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus (13) makes a touchdown catch past Buffalo Bills safety Jordan Poyer (21) during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Zaccheaus had 10 catches for 124 yards and two touchdowns in an undefined role after snagging 44 catches for Atlanta in 2022.

Zaccheaus will join another squad in 2024, and he’ll return to his 44 catch, 600+ yard output.

OL Jack Driscoll

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – NOVEMBER 15: Jack Driscoll #63 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on after the second half against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on November 15, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Giants won 27-17. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Driscoll was initially selected by the Eagles in the fourth round (145th overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft. In that time, Driscoll has started 17 games while playing tackle and guard for injured regulars.

The hybrid offensive lineman offers versatility at offensive tackle and offensive guard as a reliable backup. Still, he’s prepared to be a starter for an ascending team looking to add value and depth.

OL Sua Opeta

(AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)

According to Pro Football Focus, since joining the Eagles as an undrafted lineman out of Weber State in 2019, Sua Opeta has logged over 400 career snaps at left guard and almost 500 at right guard. A large chunk of those right-guard snaps have occurred this season, including 69 snaps against Seattle, switching over to left guard against the Giants, and logging 65+ snaps.

In the eight games Opeta has played offensive snaps this season, he has allowed two sacks, one quarterback hit, and 19 pressures.

With Jason Kelce set to retire, Opeta offers a valuable cross-trained player behind Landon Dickerson and Tyler Steen once Cam Jurgens moves over to center.

If he moves on, he’ll prepared and capable of starting at multiple positions.

P Braden Mann

Jan 15, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Philadelphia Eagles punter Braden Mann (10) punts the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of a 2024 NFC wild card game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports

After years of uncertainty at the position, punter Braden Mann set an Eagles records by averaging 49.8 yards per punt with a 43.9-yard net average.

An unrestricted free agent, Mann should be high on the list of players that need to return, and he’ll have suitors on the open market.

TE Albert Okwuegbunam

Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

Okwuegbunam was active for two games this season, and an offseason in another system could provide the talented pass catcher with an opportunity to flourish.

Okwuegbunam had 7 catches for 109 yards and a touchdown in the 2023 preseason finale, and he’ll be a player to watch.

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